New hope for rare sun allergy: bitopertin offered to patients with no options
NCT ID NCT07603401
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Aug 04, 2026 · Updated 7 times
Summary
This expanded access program provides bitopertin (DISC-1459) to patients aged 12 and older with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) or X-linked protoporphyria (XLP) who have no satisfactory treatment options in the US. The goal is to offer access and gather safety information. Participants take a 60 mg oral dose once daily.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- bitopertin (DISC-1459)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could provide a treatment option for people with EPP and XLP who currently have no satisfactory therapies.
- What could go wrong
- This is an expanded access program, not a formal trial, so data on effectiveness is limited. It may not work for everyone, and side effects are possible.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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12 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Written informed consent (and assent where applicable). * Age ≥12 years at time of request. * Diagnosis of erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) or X-linked protoporphyria (XLP), confirmed by ferrochelatase (FECH) or aminolevulinic acid synthase 2 (ALAS2) genotyping or by biochemical porphyrin analysis. Prior confirmation is acceptable; re-testing is not required if documentation of prior diagnosis is available. * Hemoglobin ≥10 g/dL at baseline. * Females of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test prior to enrollment. Exclusion Criteria: * Known hypersensitivity to bitopertin or its excipients. * Patients with AST or ALT ≥3 × upper limit of normal (ULN), or total bilirubin ≥2 × ULN (unless due to Gilbert syndrome), or albumin below the lower limit of normal at screening. * Patients with a history of liver transplantation or anticipated need for liver transplantation. * Pregnancy, planned pregnancy during the program, or breastfeeding. * Inability or unwillingness to comply with contraception requirements. * Use of any of the following prohibited concomitant therapies: * Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors * Strong CYP3A4 inducers * Grapefruit or Seville orange products * Afamelanotide or dersimelagon * Chronic opioid therapy (\>7 consecutive days) * Patients who are currently participating in a bitopertin clinical study. * Patients who previously participated in a bitopertin study and discontinued the study due to an adverse event or for reasons that, in the judgement of the treating physician or Disc, would put the patient at unacceptable risk or otherwise preclude participation in the EAP. * Patients who have received another investigational therapy within 30 days. * History of suicidal ideation with intent (C-SSRS Grade 4 or 5) within the past year or suicidal behavior within the past 5 years.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
5 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Massachusetts General Hospital
AVAILABLEBoston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
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MetroBoston Clinical Partners
AVAILABLEBoston, Massachusetts, 02135, United States
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Mount Sinai Hospital
AVAILABLENew York, New York, 10029, United States
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University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
AVAILABLEMiami, Florida, 33146, United States
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Wake Forest University
AVAILABLEWinston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157, United States
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